Monroe becomes first NJ town to offer EV charging station

Monroe Township has become the first municipality in the state to open a public charging station for electric cars.

Cooper Electric Supply Co., an electrical equipment company, donated a level 2, 240-volt charging equipment during the township’s green fair. The station will be part of the town’s library at 4 Municipal Plaza, adjacent to the town’s police station. It will be owned and operated by the town, and will be available to all electric cars.

Local residents have begun the process of registering Monroe’s station with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, which serves as a resource to help residents and commuters find alternative fueling stations along U.S. routes by way of associated websites and apps.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this exclusive group of communities,” said Karen Polidoro, chairwoman of Monroe’s Environmental Commission, in a written statement. “If this site sees substantial usage, the township may consider adding additional stations in the future at alternative locations in Monroe. This is also one of the items on our checklist for attaining silver certification through Sustainable New Jersey, an organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to green communities that meet their rigorous criteria.”

Over the past two years, it has been said that one of the problems with owning an electric car is that charging stations are few and far between. Monroe Township officials hope that the new charging station helps change that.

“Our site has become a link within the County’s growing chain of stations,” said Monroe Council President Steve Dalina in a press release. “Our township is doing its part to help reduce carbon emissions in the area, and as an added bonus, introducing some of our residents, who are charging their vehicle during daytime hours, to Monroe’s phenomenal library services and programming.”